Headway
New
Matura Exam Practice
and Culture & Literature Companion
Basic Level
2
Headway
New
Matura Exam Practice
and Culture & Literature Companion
Basic Level
3
Contents
Matura Exam Practice
Multiple matching
1 Reading
Multiple matching
2 Listening
Informal letter
3 Writing
Comparing and discussing
4 Speaking
5 Use of English Word formation
6 Reading Matching
Open cloze
7 Reading
Multiple choice
8 Listening
Multiple choice
9 Reading
Discussing a topic
10 Speaking
Discursive essays
11 Writing
Matching
12 Reading
13 Use of English Multiple choice cloze
Multiple choice
14 Reading
Notes and messages
15 Writing
Gap fill
16 Reading
Multiple choice
17 Listening
Multiple choice
18 Listening
People
Education
Hospitality and food
Employment
Culture and sport
People
Shopping and services
Science and technology
State and society
Shopping and services
State and society
Travel and tourism
Culture
Travel and tourism
People
Culture
Leisure
Children
p4
p5
p6
p7
p8
p9
p10
p11
p12
p13
p14
p15
p16
p17
p18
p19
p20
p21
Culture & Literature
1 Culture
2 Culture
3 Culture
4 Culture
5 Culture
6 Culture
7 Culture
8 Literature
The British Empire
p22
The Globe Theatre
p24
Education in the UK and the US
p26
Super size America; super size world?
p28
English-speaking capitals
p30
Australia: Going to live Down Under
p32
Transport in London
p34
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – The Hound of the Baskervilles p36
Matura Exam Practice Answer Key
Matura Exam Practice Tapescripts
Culture & Literature Answer Key
Culture & Literature Glossary
p38
p41
p43
p46
1
Reading Multiple matching
Topic People
EXAM TIPS
Read the EXAM TASK through quickly to get a general
idea of what is required.
▶▶ Read the messages carefully and think about their
meaning. Think about different ways of saying the
same thing.
▶▶ When you have finished, go back and check all your
answers carefully.
▶▶
1 Look at the statements (1–4) below. Which option best
matches the meaning in each case?
1 Mary phoned to say that she’ll be arriving on Tuesday
morning not Monday afternoon.
a Mary won’t arrive until the afternoon.
b Mary will be earlier than she thought.
c Mary will be later than she said.
2 I look forward to seeing you on Friday morning. Don’t
leave your camera behind.
a Bring your camera with you.
b Don’t worry about bringing your camera.
c It’s alright if you forget your camera.
3 We’re having a great time here in London. We’ve
changed our plans and are now coming home a day
later. We will ring you when we get back.
a We will call you this evening.
b We will call you from home.
c We will ring you from London.
4 Peter is ill and can’t come to the play on Sunday. He’s
given the tickets to me. I’m hoping to be there at 6 p.m.
– is that alright?
a Meeting at 6 p.m. is too early for Peter.
b I’m going to the theatre.
c Both Peter and I are ill.
3 In pairs, write a word or phrase to summarize the
meaning of the sentences (1–5) below.
1 I left a message on your answerphone asking you to
call me.
2 Would you like to be dropped off at the station?
3 Stop walking so fast! We have loads of time.
4 I don’t have time to meet with you today. Are you busy
at 4 p.m. tomorrow?
5 It was really nice of you to carry my bags.
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
EXAM TASK
Read the task carefully and think about the main idea
of each message. Match the messages (1–5) with the
statements (a–f). There is one letter you do not need.
1 If you need any help at all just give me a bell.
2 It was nice to see you again and it was really great that
you could put me up.
3 Is there any chance I could catch a ride with you?
4 That was really good, let me get the bill.
5 Could you give me a hand with these bags?
a Give me a lift.
b Let me pay.
c Help me.
d Call the police.
e Thanks for letting me stay.
f Phone me.
2 Match the statements (1–4) with the phrases (a–d) that
have a similar meaning.
1
2
3
4
Could you wait five minutes?
We need to be quick or we’ll miss the bus.
When do you think he’ll arrive?
One moment, I’ll just connect you.
a turn up
b hold on
c put through
d hurry up
4
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
2
Listening Multiple matching
Topic Education
The audio track for this activity can be found at
www.oup.com/elt/headway/maturahr
Exam Tips
Read the EXAM TASK instructions carefully to make
sure you understand what is required.
▶▶ While you are waiting to hear the recording, prepare
for what you are about to listen to. Think about the
topic and the words you might expect to hear.
▶▶ The words you hear in the recording will not be
exactly the same as the words in the EXAM TASK.
There are many different ways of saying the same
thing in English.
▶▶ Think about the meaning of the words and
alternative ways of saying the same thing.
▶▶ Be careful of distractors.
▶▶
1 Read the task instructions and select the correct endings
to the sentences below.
You will hear six different people talking about their favourite
teachers. Choose which of the sentences (a–i) best summarizes what
each speaker is saying. Use the letters only once. There are three
extra sentences.
1
2
3
There are …
a three speakers.
b six speakers.
There are …
a nine sentences.
b eight sentences.
This task involves putting …
a eight sentences in order.
b six sentences in order.
2 You are going to hear five people talking about school.
Before you listen, circle the words and phrases below that
you think you are likely to hear.
pupils exam results classroom noisy angry
forget friends feelings French sport
home teacher give up joke attention
hate headmaster tired
5
Matura Exam Practice
3 Can you think of other English words that have the same
meaning as those listed in exercise 2?
For example:
pupils: students, schoolchildren …
4 Read the EXAM TASK. Match the sentences below (1–8) to
the summary sentences (a–h) in the EXAM TASK.
1 There were too many people and so much noise.
2 Nothing will ever be as good.
3 It wasn’t just me. Everyone hated him.
4 I had a terrible time there.
5 I took the first opportunity to get out.
6 My results were awful. Hopeless.
7 I made some great friends – and I still have them.
8 Sometimes it was just great to get away from home.
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
EXAM TASK
T 1 You will hear five different people talking about
their schooldays. Choose which of the sentences (a–h) best
summarizes what each speaker is saying. Use the letters only
once. There are three extra letters.
a I really hated my school.
b I left school as soon as I could.
c They were the best days of my life.
d The best thing about school was my friends.
e I did really badly at school.
f There was one teacher I really didn’t like.
g School was too noisy and busy for me.
h I preferred school to home.
Speaker 1 ■
Speaker 2 ■
Speaker 3 ■
Speaker 4 ■
Speaker 5 ■
© Oxford University Press
3
Writing Informal letter
Topic Hospitality and food
EXAM TIPS
Read the task carefully and make sure you answer all
the different parts.
▶▶ You will be marked on your range of vocabulary and
grammar so use a variety of words and structures.
It is important to check your work carefully when
you have finished. Ensure your use of vocabulary and
grammar is accurate.
▶▶ Remember you will lose marks if you write too much
or too little, so write the correct number of words.
▶▶
1 Read the task and a student’s answer below. Has the
student included all the points required by the letter?
Read the note from two English friends, Bob and Wendy. Write a
reply and answer all their questions. Write 60–80 words.
Hi,
We’re looking forward to coming to your home town soon. Could
you suggest a restaurant for us? How do we get to it? What local dish
would you recommend we try?
Best wishes
Bob and Wendy
Dear Bob and Wendy,
a
in
If you want special meal on your last night at Athens, I sugest you go
to crowded but excellent ‘Delphi Restaurant’. From my house turn
left out of a front door and walk on about a kilometer and it’s at the
left. When you’re there, you have to try his delicius moussaka. It’s a
tasty traditional Greek dish from lamb and aubergine.
Hope you enjoy the meal!
Best wishes
3 Look at the student’s answer in exercise 1. Find synonyms
in the text for:
a dinner
b good/very good
c busy
d delicious
e customary
4 Match the synonyms (1–5) below with the words (a–e) in
exercise 3.
1 packed
2 time-honoured
3 lovely
4 supper
5 brilliant
5 Think about local or traditional dishes in your country.
In pairs, pick a dish and discuss the different ingredients
involved. What adjectives can be used to describe them?
6 Use your discussion in exercise 5 to write sentences
describing a traditional or local dish from your country.
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
EXAM TASK
Read the note below from your New Zealand penfriend.
Write a reply and answer all their questions. Write
60–80 words.
Hi,
Our food here in New Zealand is quite similar to England. We eat a
lot of vegetables, potatoes, and meat. What food and drink do you
traditionally have in your country? What do you like to eat and drink?
Could you describe a traditional recipe?
Best wishes
Laura
Yanni
2 Look at the student’s answer in exercise 1. Find and
correct the mistakes. What types of mistakes have been
made? The first two have been done for you.
6
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
4
Speaking Comparing and discussing
Topic Employment
The audio track for this activity can be found at
www.oup.com/elt/headway/maturahr
Exam tips
When you are asked to discuss a subject, you need to
give your opinions and explain them.
▶▶ Prepare your thoughts as much as possible – think
about the tenses, vocabulary, and useful expressions
you will need.
▶▶ Try to look at the topic from different viewpoints and
give examples to illustrate what you are saying.
▶▶ If you forget a word, don’t panic, think of other ways
to express the idea.
▶▶
1
3 Order the phrases and expressions in the box below
under the correct heading.
I should think that … I imagine that … I’m sure that …
I guess … As far as I’m concerned … Perhaps …
It’s definitely … I firmly believe that … It’s true that …
I reckon … I suppose that … It’s possibly …
Certain
Uncertain
I’m sure that …
T 2 Listen to a student answering part of an exam
question. Which of the jobs pictured below do you think
she is discussing?
a
b
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
EXAM TASK
1 Choose picture a or b and describe it in detail.
2 Contrast the picture you described in exercise 1 with
picture c. You should be able to speak about the pictures
for 2–3 minutes. The following ideas may help you:
c
■ setting
■ atmosphere
■ feeling
■ action
2 Listen again. What does the student think would be good
and bad about this job? Complete the table.
Good
Bad
interesting
3 There are many different reasons why you might choose
to accept or reject a job. From the list below, choose two
reasons which you think are important and two which
are not important for choosing a job. Add other subjects
if you wish.
good salary long holidays flexible hours
chance to work from home promotion opportunities
company car other reasons
Would you like to do this job? Why?/Why not?
7
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
5
Use of English Word formation
Topic Culture and sport
Exam Tips
Read through the text once, ignoring the gaps, for
general understanding.
▶▶ Without looking at the words in the brackets, predict
an answer – this helps you focus on which part of
speech goes in each gap, e.g. verb or noun, singular
or plural.
▶▶ Then carefully look at the text before and after each
gap – context will help you choose the correct form
of the word in brackets.
▶▶ Remember, you may have to make two changes to the
stem word, e.g. (un)friend(ly).
▶▶
1 Complete the tables by giving the noun that corresponds
to each verb and adjective.
8
Verb
believe
play
breathe
complain
choose
receive
laugh
forgive
advise
Noun
Adjective
strong
wide
deep
high
long
broad
poor
proud
warm
Noun
Matura Exam Practice
2 Read the text in the EXAM TASK quickly and choose the
best title.
a Advertising the Beautiful Game
b Soccer and Money – the Good and Bad
c World Cup Winners
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
Read the text carefully. Fill each gap (1–16) by choosing the
correct form of the given word in brackets to obtain logical
and grammatically correct sentences. The right spelling is
required. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Football has grown to become one of the most (0) successful sports
and business opportunities on the planet. In the 2006 World Cup Finals,
(GLOBE) companies (2)
several hundred (1)
(ADVERT) their products at stadiums in Germany. Through televised
(PROMOTE) of soft drinks, fast food, credit
games the (3)
cards, and other items helped to generate a turnover of nearly
(SPONSOR) has helped
$1 billion. This huge amount of (4)
(VALUE)
to raise the profile of businesses, but it is also (5)
for football associations throughout the world. FIFA has made
(ARRANGE) so that a lot of the money raised is returned
(6)
to sport development programmes in the nations that (7)
(COMPETE) in the tournament.
However, football and money don’t always result in (8)
(HAPPY). Many problems are caused in the major (9)
(COMPETE) when teams demand more money for each (10)
(PATIENT), and
(PERFORM). Often players become (11)
(LIKE) to end
demand to be paid before playing. This is (12)
(ARGUE) affect
well, causing lots of problems. If these (13)
team spirit, then results are poor.
(14)
(FORTUNE), poor results mean that teams receive less
(ORGANIZE), so in the end
money from the tournament (15)
the development of the game in these nations suffer. This means that
(IMPROVE) is small.
the chance for (16)
Sometimes sport and money just don’t mix.
© Oxford University Press
6
Reading Matching
Topic People
Exam tips
KARATE KID
First, read the text quickly to get a general idea of
the meaning.
▶▶ Read it again more carefully and think about how the
text is structured – look at the beginning, the middle,
and the end of the text. Understanding how the text
is organized can help you select the correct option to
fill each gap.
▶▶ Read the options carefully and look for clues before
and after the gaps within the main text. Sometimes
words and phrases that refer forwards and backwards
in the text will help you, e.g. it, this, that, after that,
before, this, they, she, etc.
▶▶ Remember to spend a few minutes checking your
answers when you have finished.
▶▶
1 Read the text quickly. What is the text about?
a The text is about why karate has become so popular
in Britain.
b The text is about a young policewoman who is very
good at karate.
c The text is about how the British police force trains
their officers in karate.
2 Read the text again more carefully. Match the points
(a–e) to one of the paragraphs (1–5) in the text.
a
b
c
d
e
Jemma has started winning titles at a
senior level.
Jemma has just joined the police.
Jemma started karate when she was seven
years old.
Jemma thinks she can still get better.
Jemma trained hard from an early age.
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
1 Anybody on the wrong side of the law had better hope they don’t
meet Jemma Mitcham. The 20-year-old European karate champion
‘I guess
recently became a policewoman and (1)
anybody that tried anything with me would be a bit unlucky’ she
says, laughing. ‘It’s only to defend myself, but if there was trouble
Being a black belt
on the street I’d be fairly (2)
obviously helps.’
2 Mitcham wanted to join the police force from an early age, but her
love of karate started before that. ‘I’d wanted to do it since I was
four, but my parents wouldn’t let me,’ she says. ‘I think they were a
bit worried because I was so young, but in the end they let me go
along with my cousin, Natalie, when I was seven. I loved it straight
away.’ Just three years later – the minimum time permitted –
(3)
3 Mitcham’s earliest memory of karate shows the commitment, if not
the training technique, that has led to her success. ‘I used to practise
in my grandmother’s kitchen all the time,’ she says. ‘I thought I was
really good and went along to lessons all proud of myself. When I
I still loved it though.’
got there I found out (4)
4 Soon after that she was competing above her age group (senior
competitions start at 21), and only last month, as the European junior
champion, she added the senior title to become (5)
In September, she heads to Tokyo for the Shoto World Cup, where
she hopes to win her first senior world title. It’s not an unrealistic
ambition according to England coach Frank Brennan. ‘She’s got a very
good chance although it’s always difficult against the Japanese,’ he
said. ‘She is extremely talented and has two great qualities in that
’
(6)
5 Her recent police work has meant that Mitcham hasn’t been able to
practise as much as she’d like, although she still fits in an hour a day.
‘I’m
Unfortunately for her opponents, she thinks (7)
improving all the time,’ she says.
EXAM TASK
Carefully read the text and match the gaps (1–7) with the
correct sentence parts (a–g).
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
9
confident of being able to look after myself.
I was doing it totally wrong.
she’s very hardworking and modest.
has just started work on the streets of Southend.
she’s still got a lot to learn.
champion in both age groups.
Mitcham gained her black belt.
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
7
Reading Open cloze
Topic Shopping and services
EXAM TIPS
Read the text through quickly in order to get a
general idea of what it is about. Focus on the meaning
of the text and the structures of the sentences.
▶▶ When you read the text for the second time, look for
clues either side of the gaps that will help you choose
the correct words. Words such as pronouns are often
very important.
▶▶ If you are not sure about the correct answer, try to
guess it. Do not leave unanswered questions.
▶▶ When you have finished, read the text again to check
the meaning and your answers.
▶▶
1 Read the text in the EXAM TASK quickly. Which of the
following is the best title for the text?
a The success of Apple
b The changing face of music
c The history of the CD
2 Read the text in the EXAM TASK again and decide if the
following statements are true (T) or false (F).
1 Buying CDs is still the most popular way of buying
music.
2 The speed of change in music-buying habits was not
expected.
3 Apple is a key retailer of downloadable music.
4 Apple launched the iPod after iTunes.
5 Apple sold 200 million songs in 2004.
6 Shops were not affected by this change in buying
methods.
3 Match the sentences (1–5) with the parts of speech (a–e)
needed to fill the gaps.
1 Apple is one of
most successful companies
in history.
CDs from shops in the past.
2 People
its most
3 Apple computers are popular
successful product is the iTunes store.
1971.
4 Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak met
5 Steve Jobs was one of the most successful business
died in 2011.
people of all time.
10
Matura Exam Practice
a pronoun
b verb
c preposition
d conjunction
e article
4 For the sentences (1–5) in exercise 3, what word should
be placed in each gap?
1
2
3
4
5
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
EXAM TASK
Complete the text below by writing one word in each of
the gaps (1–6) to obtain logical and grammatically correct
sentences. The right spelling is required.
Downloading songs and albums (1)
now the most common
way of buying music. However, this was not always the case and it is
mainly in the last ten years that this change has happened.
With the recent advances in technology, it is perhaps not a surprise that
more and more people are downloading music rather than buying CDs,
the speed of this change has surprised many people.
(2)
all started in 2001 when the American technology
(3)
company Apple launched the iPod, a digital audio player.
However, Apple’s influence on how people buy music really began with
the launch of iTunes, a media player that allows people to download
launched
and play music from their computers. iTunes (4)
sold 200 million
in 2003 and by the end of 2004 it (5)
downloads.
Many companies that sold CDs did not predict (6)
change
and went out of business. This has led to many high street music stores
closing down and becoming just a part of history.
© Oxford University Press
8
Listening Multiple choice
Topic Science and technology
The audio track for this activity can be found at
www.oup.com/elt/headway/maturahr
EXAM TIPS
Before you listen, read the EXAM TASK carefully. Think
about the topic. Think about who will be speaking
and what their purpose is.
▶▶ Identify the key vocabulary in each statement. Try
to predict what related vocabulary you are likely to
hear. This will help you identify which section of the
recording answers each question.
▶▶ You will hear the recording twice. Don’t expect to
answer all the questions the first time you listen.
When you listen again, check the answers you’ve
already got, and work out any missing ones.
▶▶ Be careful of distractors.
▶▶
1 Read the EXAM TASK carefully. Answer these questions
before you listen to the radio interview.
1
2
3
4
Where does Amanda Deakins work?
What subject does she study as part of her work?
a space exploration
b developments in science and technology
c new ideas in philosophy
Which of these ideas do you think the recording will
talk about?
a wireless systems
b robot-driven cars
c ideas to replace keys
d new ways of turning lights on and off
Do you know of two opening systems that can be used
instead of keys at the moment?
EXAM TASK
T 3 Familiarize yourself with the questions and answers
in 1–5. Listen twice to the radio interview with Amanda
Deakins from the Institute for Future Studies. Answer
each question by selecting the option that matches the
information in the recording and circling a, b, or c.
1
2
3
4
5
Amanda Deakins predicts the future by using …
a the present.
b the past.
c her company.
Amanda thinks voice-activated light switches are …
a not a very useful idea.
b a useful idea.
c a very popular idea.
Amanda thinks fingerprint entry systems …
a are a great idea for hotels.
b will be very popular in twenty-five years’ time.
c might not replace keys.
Amanda thinks that wireless systems …
a will become very common everywhere.
b won’t replace traditional wire systems.
c haven’t improved very much.
In the survey, automatic doors were …
a liked by all families.
b liked by none of the families.
c liked by one family.
2 Listen to the interview in the EXAM TASK. Complete the
phrases and sentences.
1 ‘… it must be
to study the future because the
happened yet.’
future
and we
2 ‘… what we really do is look at the
.’
use that to tell us about the
very
…’
3 ‘Cool, yes, but
ordinary traditional switches and
4 ‘… people
.’
switching lights on and off by
Now answer questions 1 and 2 in the EXAM TASK.
Notice how the words you have written help you to
decide which option is correct.
Now complete the rest of the EXAM TASK.
11
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
9
Reading Multiple choice
Topic State and society
Exam tips
With multiple choice questions you will either be
asked to find a specific piece of information or asked
about your general understanding of a passage.
▶▶ Read the EXAM TASK carefully. Make sure you know
what information you are looking for in the passages.
▶▶ Don’t worry if there are words in the texts you don’t
understand. Try to find the answer by looking at the
words you do understand.
The strangest law in Ohio is concerned with animals. If you want to
keep a bear, you require a licence. You also need a licence to catch
mice. And, most interestingly you aren’t allowed to fish for whales on
a Sunday. Quite where you’d find whales in Ohio, around 700 miles
from the Atlantic Ocean, is anybody’s guess!
▶▶
2
1 Scan the texts to find the answers to these questions as
quickly as possible.
1 How many place names can you find in the texts?
What are they?
2 How many different animals can you find in the texts?
What are they?
3 How many different foods can you find in the texts?
What are they?
2 Read the multiple choice questions. Underline the key
words. The first has been done for you.
We have some crazy laws here in Providence, Rhode Island. It is
illegal to sell a toothbrush and toothpaste to the same customer
on a Sunday. Jumping off a bridge is also frowned upon. Whereas in
Newport, also in Rhode Island, you can’t smoke a pipe after sunset.
3 In Providence what can’t you do on a Sunday?
a allow a customer to buy toothpaste and a
toothbrush
b buy a toothbrush
c jump off a bridge
3 Read all five texts and find words that mean:
1 being locked up
2 banned
3 permit
4 disapproved of
5 strange
6 napping
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
You will read five texts. Read each passage carefully and
answer the relevant question by choosing the option that
matches the information in that text. Circle a, b, or c.
I live in West Virginia and here you aren’t allowed to cook cabbage
because of the smell – doing so can lead to imprisonment. And
children are strictly forbidden from arriving at school with their
breath smelling of ‘wild onions’.
1 What is a criminal offence?
a cooking cabbage
b smelling of cabbage
c eating wild onions
12
Matura Exam Practice
Which of these don’t you need a licence to do?
a own a bear
b capture mice
c catch whales
Indiana has only a couple of odd laws. One prohibits bathing in
winter. The other forbids people from attending a cinema or theatre,
or using public transport within four hours of eating garlic.
4
Which of these can you do after eating garlic?
a go bathing
b take a bus
c see a play
We get a lot of visitors in Florida, but I bet none know some of
our laws. Single, divorced, or married women are not allowed to
parachute on Sunday afternoons; women may also be fined for
falling asleep under a hairdryer (as can the salon owner); and if an
elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee must be the
same as for a car. It is also illegal to sing in public, if you are wearing a
swimming costume.
5 In Florida, who aren’t allowed to perform songs in front
of other people?
a divorced women
b salon owners
c people wearing bikinis
© Oxford University Press
10
Speaking Discussing a topic
Topic Shopping and services
The audio track for this activity can be found at
www.oup.com/elt/headway/maturahr
Exam tips
When you are asked about how a subject is presented
in a picture, you do not have to describe the picture
in detail. You should concentrate on the themes.
▶▶ You will need to give opinions or make comparisons.
Note down any useful structures.
▶▶ Prepare what you are going to talk about and make a
note of key vocabulary to use.
▶▶ Try to look at the topic from both sides and give
examples to illustrate what you are saying.
▶▶ Don’t speak too slowly or too fast. Just be yourself.
▶▶
1
T 4 Listen to Anne and Carl discussing the
photograph in the EXAM TASK. Read the opinions (1–5)
and state whether each one is Anne’s opinion (A), Carl’s
opinion (C), or both of their opinions (A+C).
1 Soon markets will disappear.
2 It’s sometimes difficult to find what you want in the
supermarket.
3 Corner shops are friendly places.
4 Markets are interesting places.
5 People will never stop shopping for food in markets.
2 Work in pairs. Complete the phrases (1–6) with the
words (a–f).
3 Complete the sentences (1–6) with words from the box.
display stallholders discounts bargains
cash range
1 The supermarket accepts credit cards, whereas in the
.
market they only take
,
2 Supermarkets sometimes offer ‘two-for-one’
but in the market you can ask for the prices to be
dropped.
3 Compared with the biggest supermarkets, the
of goods in markets isn’t so wide.
4 In comparison to supermarket assistants, the market
are very friendly.
5 If you go late to the market you can get some great
, but supermarkets have the same prices
all day.
6 Fruit stalls and supermarkets are similar because of the
their goods to attract customers.
way they
4 Underline the words and phrases that are used to show
that supermarkets and markets are being compared and
contrasted in the statements (1–6) of exercise 3.
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
Familiarize yourself with the photograph below. Prepare to
present and discuss the image with the examiner.
1 In my
, supermarkets are just too expensive.
that you should use local shops whenever
2 I
it is possible.
to me that prices have dropped recently.
3 It
, I prefer shopping at larger stores.
4 To be
it, big businesses aren’t friendly enough.
5 As I
, the cheaper the better.
6 As far as I’m
a honest
b opinion
c see
d seems
e think
f concerned
13
Matura Exam Practice
The following guidelines may help you:
■ Describe the place, activity, and mood.
■ Describe what people are doing.
■ Compare markets with large supermarkets.
■ Use examples from your own country.
■ Predict what will happen to markets in the future.
© Oxford University Press
11
Writing Discursive essays
Topic State and society
Exam tips
Read the EXAM TASK carefully and take brief notes of
your first thoughts.
▶▶ Plan what you want to say for each viewpoint to
make sure your essay is balanced.
▶▶ Support your statements with examples as they
strengthen your position.
▶▶ To build on your range of vocabulary, use more
complex noun phrases to increase the level of your
writing, e.g. accommodation for a place to live, urban
life for living in a city.
▶▶ Try to use a wide range of grammar and vocabulary
as this will also be marked.
▶▶ Give yourself time to check and edit your essay after
you finish writing.
▶▶
1 Read the essay below. Which of these themes does it
relate to?
a ‘Some people think that city life is the only way to live,
others believe that your location doesn’t affect your
standard of life.’
b ‘Some people think city life has many benefits, others
say it has more disadvantages.’
c ‘Some people say that cities are the best places to live,
others say that the countryside is much more relaxing.’
Many people believe that urban life is the best way to live. However,
.
living in a city has both (1)
(2)
you can have a really great social life as there are
, most cities have a wide range
numerous attractions. (3)
of shops and restaurants. This means you can buy whatever you want,
or eat food from all over the world. There are also cinemas showing
the latest movies, concert halls where you can see local and foreign
bands, and some fantastic sports facilities to enjoy in your free time.
, most cities have excellent public transport systems,
(4)
so it’s easy to get around. In a city like Zagreb, there are also better
job opportunities because more international companies are located
, urban life is extremely
in and around the area. (5)
convenient.
However, there are some drawbacks. (6)
city living
can be very expensive. Rent is usually very high, and it is difficult to
, prices in
find accommodation in the best areas. (7)
the shops and restaurants can be much higher than elsewhere. This
means that you have to earn more money to enjoy a good lifestyle.
Due to tough competition, it’s not easy to get a job that pays well.
14
Matura Exam Practice
(8)
, although public transport is better in the city,
pollution levels are higher too. Cities can be very noisy and dirty
because of the high number of cars and buses on the roads.
, this is a common reason why people move away
(9)
from the cities.
(10)
, although many people consider urban living as
living in a city can be
the most suitable way to live, (11)
stressful. Nevertheless, it is true that life there can be very exciting.
2 Complete the gaps (1–11) in the essay with the words
and phrases from the box below.
In fact Finally One disadvantage is that
Moreover All things considered In conclusion
pros and cons One advantage is that
For instance In addition in my opinion
3 Match the advantages (1–3) with the relevant
disadvantages (a–c).
1 job opportunities
2 transportation
3 culture/social life
a expensive
b pollution
c stress
4 Why does the essay in exercise 1 have four paragraphs?
5 Look at the EXAM TASK and make a list of arguments for
each point of view.
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
Write a 200–250 word discursive essay on the statement:
Some people think that modern technology has improved our
lives, others say it has made our lives worse.
Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.
Your essay must have an introduction, body, and
conclusion. You will receive points for range and accuracy
of grammar and vocabulary.
© Oxford University Press
12
Reading Matching
Topic Travel and tourism
Exam tips
Dream Island
Read the text through quickly before you start the
task. You will get a general idea of what it is about.
▶▶ When you have to match headings to a text, read
each paragraph in the text carefully and work out the
main idea.
▶▶ Be careful of distractors.
(1)
▶▶
1 Read the text quickly. Decide whether the statements
(1–3) are true (T) or false (F).
1 The article describes holidays a century from now.
2 The dream island will have many facilities.
3 Building work could be challenging.
2 Read the text again carefully. Match the summaries (a–g)
with the paragraphs (1–7).
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
the current plan
proposed uses for the island
ship construction
the initial idea
facilities on the island
a new concept
a model of the island
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
Read the text carefully and match the headings (a–i)
with the paragraphs. Write the appropriate letter in the
gaps (1–7). There are two headings you do not need.
a Impossible to build?
b Who is Jules Verne?
c Dream or reality?
d Everything you need
e The 21st century plan
f Resort or home?
g Too big to move
h Facts and figures
i The original idea
15
Matura Exam Practice
Imagine a cruise ship of such proportions that it possesses its own rail
network, yacht harbour, and artificial lake with a central island. Or
imagine a floating holiday resort, similar in size to the Vatican, which can
cruise from one tourist destination to another – forever.
(2)
Over 100 years ago, the novelist Jules Verne described a huge ship called
Standard Island. The vessel was 27 kilometres square, and produced its
own food and water. This fictional boat carried millionaires on an endless
journey around the Pacific, avoiding hardship and stormy weather.
(3)
Now a French shipbuilding company is thinking of constructing a smaller
scale version of Jules Verne’s imaginary island. Their product will be
400 m by 300 m, have a maximum speed of 20 kph, and be capable of
accommodating around 10,000 people.
(4)
This ‘dream island’ would include a lake lined with beaches, a harbour at
the rear, and blocks of apartments up to fifteen storeys high. The design
also features extensive shopping areas, theatres, bars, casinos, cinemas,
and a light railway system to transport inhabitants from one part of the
island to another.
(5)
Developers have suggested that the ‘island’ could be a cruise ship which
never returns to port and instead follows the sun from one tourist
destination to another. Other proposals have highlighted the appeal
to billionaires, who could benefit from the tax status of international
waters. The fact that the ship would permanently be at sea also means
that specific national laws could be avoided. Possibilities are numerous,
but as yet, nothing has been decided.
(6)
Engineers believe that constructing on such a large scale should pose no
particular problems, even though the plans outline a vessel four times
the size of today’s largest ship. To ensure that the ship could be properly
launched, the plans are to build it offshore, in the same way that oil
platforms are currently assembled.
(7)
The shipbuilders, who are looking for potential investors, and possible
orders, are building a large model of the island for the next Sea Trade
Show in Miami. The name of the vessel has not been decided yet, but a
good choice might be Jules Verne.
© Oxford University Press
13
Use of English Multiple choice cloze
Topic Culture
Exam tips
Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the topic.
▶▶ Look at the words before and after each gap – the
context should help you choose the best answer.
▶▶ You will be tested on your knowledge of phrases,
collocations, dependent prepositions, phrasal verbs,
and synonyms – recording these in your vocabulary
notebook can help build your awareness.
▶▶ When you finish the EXAM TASK, look at the incorrect
answers. Deciding which words go with those
options will help build your vocabulary.
▶▶
1 Match the verbs (1–5) with the nouns (a–e).
1 take
2 make
3 do
4 have
5 get
a an opinion
b your best
c a decision
d a risk
e the opportunity
2 Read the text quickly. What is the text about?
a The text is about the history of chocolate.
b The text is about how chocolate is made.
c The text is about the importance of chocolate.
3 Read the text in the EXAM TASK again. Number the points
(a–e) in the order they appear in the text.
a
b
c
d
e
the European country that eats the most
chocolate
the reason why people drank chocolate
the importance of chocolate today
the differences between European and
South American tastes
developments and experiments with
cocoa beans
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
Read the article carefully. For the gaps (1–13) choose the
options which form a logical and grammatically correct text
by circling a, b, or c.
1 a tell
2 a believed
3 a for
4 a much
5 a added
6 a additions
7 a in
8 a out
9 a new
10 a users
11 a on
12 a surplus
13 a becomes
b show
b considered
b by
b any
b attached
b improvements
b among
b off
b recent
b consumers
b at
b stock
b becoming
c inform
c regarded
c as
c some
c combined
c extensions
c for
c away
c modern
c customers
c with
c supply
c has become
Traces of chocolate found in an ancient Mayan pot (1)
that
people were drinking it 2,600 years ago. In South America, chocolate was
consumed in a bitter spicy drink called ‘xocoatl’, often flavoured with
that the drink could help
vanilla or chilli pepper. People (2)
fight fatigue. Chocolate was also an important luxury good and cocoa
currency.
beans were often used (3)
Christopher Columbus brought (4)
cocoa beans to show
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, but it was Hernando Cortes
who introduced it to the European public. Chocolate was still served as
sugar and milk to it instead
a drink, but the Europeans (5)
to the taste meant that by the
of chilli pepper. These (6)
European nobility.
17th century it was popular (7)
At the end of the 18th century, the first solid form of chocolate was
invented in Italy. In 1828, Dutchman Conrad van Houten introduced a
method for removing the fat from cocoa beans and making powdered
cocoa and cocoa butter. Van Houten also developed a process of
the bitter taste. This made it
treating chocolate to take (8)
chocolate bar.
possible to create the (9)
According to a survey, the British are Europe’s biggest (10)
of chocolate, eating an average of 10 kilos per year. In a year, they spend
605 thousand tonnes of chocolate, almost a
£4.3 billion (11)
.
quarter of the continent’s (12)
Chocolate may not be a luxury item anymore, but its production
(13)
a big and successful business.
16
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
14
Reading Multiple choice
Topic Travel and tourism
Exam tips
Read the title of the text. Think of everything you
know about the topic – this will help you prepare to
answer the EXAM TASK.
▶▶ Before you look at the questions, read the text quickly
to get a general idea of what it is about.
▶▶ When you have finished, check your answers to all of
the questions.
▶▶ Be careful of distractors.
▶▶
1 Work in groups. Write down some notes about Canada.
Think about:
■ location
■
animal life
■ weather
■ geography
■
towns and cities
2 Read the text quickly. Where can you …
1 see traditional buildings?
2 participate in outdoor pursuits?
3 observe rare sea-life?
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
Read the text carefully. Answer the questions (1–6) by
choosing the options that match the information in the text.
Circle a, b, c, or d.
1 Banff National Park …
a is one of the newest wildlife parks.
b is visited by a lot of people.
c is to the north of the Rockies.
d is in the Columbia Icefield.
2 Jasper National Park …
a was Canada’s first wildlife sanctuary.
b contains the beautiful Moraine Lake.
c is not as popular as Banff.
d has thirty glaciers in it.
3 Lunenburg is …
a an important historic site.
b the biggest town south of Halifax.
c very modern.
d not very successful today.
17
Matura Exam Practice
4 Lunenburg’s fish-processing factory …
a is now a museum.
b was built in the 18th century.
c is a wooden building.
d is the largest in North America.
5 Most people go to Churchill …
a because it is a major port.
b to see wild animals.
c because of its first class facilities.
d to enjoy the weather.
6 Most of the people visiting Churchill want to see …
a Arctic foxes.
b whales.
c the Northern lights.
d polar bears.
Canada: Off the Beaten Track – Three To See
Rocky Mountains The Rockies run along the Alberta-British Columbia
border, and are inside two huge national parks – Banff to the south and
Jasper to the north. Banff was Canada’s first wildlife sanctuary and these
days the town of Banff is the most popular tourist destination in the
country. But Jasper National Park is larger, wilder, and less well-explored.
Between the parks of Banff and Jasper is the Columbia Icefield, an
enormous bowl of ice made up of about thirty glaciers. If you don’t like
ice, the Rockies offer wildlife walks, swimming, camping, hiking, canoeing,
mountain climbing, and plenty of places to stay. Accommodation costs
are usually lower at the Jasper end of this superb mountain playground.
Lunenburg Lunenburg is south from Halifax, along a foggy coast of
rocky coves, fishing villages, and historic towns. It is a beautiful little
shipbuilding town and a UNESCO World Heritage side. Fishing has always
been big in Lunenburg: most of Atlantic Canada’s deep-sea fishing boats
leave from here, and North America’s biggest fish-processing factory is
located in the town. Lunenburg still has many wooden buildings and as
a result feels like an 18th century British colonial town. You can visit the
town’s Fisheries Museum or just wander around, looking at the wooden
houses in the old streets – and of course have a dinner of halibut or
haddock, mussels or lobster.
Churchill One of the few places in the north that is ‘easy’ to get to,
Churchill is a 1.5-day train journey from Winnipeg. Churchill is a major
port, but eco-tourism is becoming more and more important. Despite
freezing temperatures and poor facilities, many visitors come to see the
polar bears, beluga whales, caribou, Arctic foxes, and, if they’re lucky, the
Northern Lights. Churchill calls itself the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’,
and for a good reason: the town sits right in the middle of the animals’
migration route, and the cute but deadly white bears sometimes wander
into the town. Tours to see the bears from September to November are
by far the most popular attraction.
© Oxford University Press
15
Writing Notes and messages
Topic People
Exam tips
Read the EXAM TASK carefully. Make a list of the
points you need to include. This will help you
structure your writing clearly.
▶▶ Make sure you put in all the important information
and leave out anything unnecessary.
▶▶ It’s important to use the appropriate register. Decide
if you should respond formally or informally.
▶▶ Check that your work includes a range of vocabulary
and grammar, and that it is coherent and cohesive.
▶▶
1 Read the letter below. In pairs, write a list of possible
things to include in a reply.
Hi Alex,
How are you? Why didn’t you come to my party? Did you forget?
Jerry
2 Look at these ideas for possible excuses. In pairs, think of
consequences for each.
was tired – overslept
felt ill
argued with parents
finished work late
3 Which is the best reply to the letter in exercise 1, A or B?
Why?
A Jerry,
Sorry I forgot your party. I was busy.
See you soon.
Alex
B Dear Jerry,
I’m terribly sorry I didn’t come to your party last week. I had an
awful day – there was trouble at school over my homework and
when I returned home I had a heated discussion with my parents.
I was so annoyed about everything that I completely forgot. I’m so
sorry. Anyway, I hope it went well and that you had a good time.
Hope to see you soon.
Alex
4 Read the note and the reply below. Does the reply answer
all the questions in the note?
Hi Becky,
I can’t wait for tonight. Work has been really busy recently and I’m
looking forward to having a relaxing evening with you later. I think
going for a meal would be great. Maybe we could try that new Italian
restaurant? I’ve heard lots of good comments about it. It would be
great if Lois and Michael could come along.
See you later.
Sarah
5 Read the letter below. Which reply is the most
appropriate, A or B? Why?
Hi Ellie,
I’m looking forward to seeing you this weekend. Do you want me
to cook dinner or shall we go out? Is there any food you don’t like?
What shall I get for breakfast?
Jill
A Jill,
If you don’t mind, could you cook? I’ve got a long train journey
and will probably fall asleep early! I don’t mind what you cook, but
I’d prefer not to have fish, if that’s okay? I don’t mind what I have
for breakfast – I’ll eat anything!
Looking forward to seeing you, too!
Ellie
B Jill,
You cook. Can we have pasta? I’ll have cereal.
Cheers
Ellie
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Exam task
Read the note from your friend Daphne. Write Daphne a
reply, 60–80 words in length. Answer all her questions.
Hi,
Thanks for agreeing to help me organize my party. What decorations
do you think I should get? Do you have any ideas about what food we
should order? Can you think of anything I’ve forgotten to organize?
Daphne
Hi Sarah,
I’m so excited about seeing you later. What time should we meet?
Would you prefer to get dinner and chat, or go to the cinema? It might
be nice to ask Michael and Lois along – do you know their numbers?
Becky
18
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
16
Reading Gap fill
Topic Culture
Exam tips
A Dying language
Before you read the text, look at the title and think
about what type of text you are about to read. If
the meaning of the title isn’t clear, read the first
paragraph and think again.
▶▶ Before you begin the EXAM TASK, read the text quickly,
ignoring the questions, to get a general idea of what
the text is about.
▶▶ Before you read the text for a second time, study the
form so you know what information you are looking
for.
▶▶ Find the parts of the text that contain the answers.
Read that section carefully to check your answer.
▶▶ Be careful of distractors.
Here’s an interview from the radio with Tony Manning about endangered
languages. Although he was born in Britain, he has travelled around the
world studying different cultures. Now with his Spanish wife, he has
written a book entitled Dying language, Dying culture.
▶▶
1 Look at the EXAM TASK. What type of text does it involve?
2 Before reading the text in detail, work in pairs and think
about what the text might be about.
3 Read the text quickly. Choose the best summary.
a The text is about the life of Tony Manning.
b The text is about protecting languages.
c The text is about how to learn a language.
4 Read the text in the EXAM TASK again. Number the points
(a–e) in the order they are made.
a
b
c
d
e
how to protect a language
Tony’s free time
Tony’s family history
Tony’s education
the death of a language
Interviewer: What first made you become interested in dying languages?
Tony: My mother is from northern England and met my father while they
were at university. After my father had finished his degree he returned to
the Isle of Man and my mother went with him. While growing up on the
island, my first language was English, but I became really interested in the
Manx language of the Isle of Man.
Interviewer: Does anyone speak the Manx language today?
Tony: No, it died with its last speaker, Ned Maddrell, over forty years
ago.
Interviewer: So can you speak the Manx language?
Tony: No, I only know a few words. As it’s not an active language it’s
really difficult to learn and practice. Although I can speak Chinese and
Japanese, it is endangered languages that really interest me. Despite an
initial interest in Law, I did a degree in Linguistics at university and we
studied the links between language and culture. For me, when a language
dies a culture also dies. So it’s important to protect these languages.
Interviewer: How do you help people protect a language?
Tony: There are lots of ways. The most effective way is to get a
government to officially protect an endangered language, but that is
hard to do. Other ways include continuing to teach the language or
organizing events so that speakers of the language can gather together
and talk with each other. Personally, I write books and dictionaries of
endangered languages. I think it’s important that we have a written
record of them.
Now complete the EXAM TASK.
Interviewer: When you aren’t working to protect languages what do you
like doing in your spare time?
Exam task
Tony: I used to play badminton until I hurt my back. Now I love playing
musical instruments. I think it really helps me to learn languages.
Read the interview with Tony Manning carefully. Complete
the sections (1–5) of the form with one or two word
answers. The right spelling is required. There is an example
at the beginning (0).
0
1
2
3
4
5
19
First name: Tony
Nationality:
Foreign languages spoken:
Education:
Profession:
Hobby:
Matura Exam Practice
© Oxford University Press
17
Listening Multiple choice
Topic Leisure
The audio track for this activity can be found at
www.oup.com/elt/headway/maturahr
Exam tips
Before you listen, read the EXAM TASK and each
question quickly. Try to identify the type of topics
you will be listening to.
▶▶ Identify the key vocabulary in each question. Try to
predict what related vocabulary you are likely to hear.
▶▶ Read the options carefully and identify the type of
information you are listening for. Look for clues
about what you are going to hear.
▶▶
1 Read the instructions for the EXAM TASK. What is the
recording about?
a The recording is about people comparing tourist sights
in Manchester to those in London.
b The recording is about the advantages and
disadvantages of living in Manchester.
c The recording is about activities to do if you are
visiting Manchester.
2 Read the EXAM TASK. Work in pairs and write down a list
of topics that might be mentioned.
football
restaurants
theatre …
3 Read the multiple choice questions. Underline the key
words. The first has been done for you.
4 Read the questions and options in the EXAM TASK. Match
each question (0–5) with one of the types of information
below (a–g). There is one extra type of information you
do not need.
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
20
adjective
number
place
rating
verb, action
genre
people
Matura Exam Practice
Exam Task
T 5 Familiarize yourself with the questions and answers
in 1–5. You are going to hear six extracts talking about
things to see and do in Manchester. Each extract has one
question about its contents. For each question choose an
answer that matches the information in the recording by
circling a, b, or c. There’s an example at the beginning (0).
0
1
2
3
4
5
Where are the Arctic Monkeys playing on Thursday?
a Sheffield
b Manchester
c Liverpool
How many children do you need in a group to receive a
£7 discount?
a two
b four
c five
How many stars do they give the film Gamer?
a three
b two
c five
The Vermillion restaurant is famous for what type
of food?
a Italian
b Indian
c Asian
What type of performances can you see at The Arena?
a Hollywood films
b historical plays
c British comedy
What can you do if you can’t get tickets for a Manchester
United game?
a watch it on TV
b take a stadium tour
c book tickets for another day
© Oxford University Press
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